Padres' Craig Kimbrel bounces back for 31st save on Saturday

by Jason Lempert | Staff Writer

(8/1/15) A night after blowing the save, Padres closer Craig Kimbrel got right back out there and nailed down his 31st save of the year on Saturday. Kimbrel needed 13 pitches to retire the side in order in the ninth, protecting a 5-3 victory over the Marlins.

Kimbrel allowed a game-tying home run in the ninth inning on Friday, but was able to rebound nicely a day later.

Padres RP Craig Kimbrel serves up game-tying HR on Friday

by Jason Lempert | Staff Writer

(7/31/15) Padres closer Craig Kimbrel blew his second save of the year, as he allowed a game-tying home run to the Marlins' Derek Dietrich in the ninth inning on Friday. The Padres would wind up winning the game 8-3 in 11 innings.

Kimbrel, who was the subject of trade rumors over the last several days, had converted 21 straight save opportunities before Friday's hiccup.

Padres RP Craig Kimbrel closes out Mets for 30th save Thursday

by Jason Lempert | Staff Writer

(7/30/15) Padres closer Craig Kimbrel worked a perfect ninth inning to pick up his 30th save of the season in Thursday's 8-7 win over the Mets. Kimbrel, who took the mound after a near three-hour rain delay, struck out a batter as he preserved the victory.

Kimbrel remains perfect in save chances this season, and his ERA has dwindled to 2.68--it was as high as 4.50 in early June.

Report: Nationals top suitor list for Padres closer Craig Kimbrel

by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(7/27/15) The Nationals are reportedly the most likely team to land Padres closer Craig Kimbrel despite their continued interest in Reds counterpart Aroldis Chapman.

"I almost bet my house that he will do something big," a source close to Rizzo told Fox Sports MLB insider Ken Rosenthal.

Kimbrel has hit his stride after a rough patch early in the season and is now among the hottest closers in the game.

Padres closer Craig Kimbrel perfect Sunday in earning 29th save

by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(7/26/15) Some wondered if Padres closer Craig Kimbrel had lost his mojo when he skidded in late April and May.

They are doubting him no longer.

Kimbrel remained on a roll Sunday by retiring the Marlins in order in the ninth to preserve a victory. He struck out none, but still earned his 29th save.

He has not allowed a run in 12 of his last 13 appearances and has shrunk his ERA to 2.73, its lowest point since April 26.

04/11/2015 02:50Eye on MLB, April 10: Red Sox outlast Yankees 6-5 in 19 innings
At 6 hours, 49 minutes, it was the longest game by time in Red Sox history. After Chase Headley tied the score with a home run in the bottom of the ninth, Boston went ahead three times in extra innings, taking a lead for the final time on a sacrifice fly by Mookie Betts.

04/11/2015 00:52Myers, Kimbrel lead Padres to 1-0 win against Giants
SAN DIEGO (AP) Wil Myers hit an RBI double off the right-field wall with one out in the eighth inning and Craig Kimbrel got his first save with the San Diego Padres, who beat the San Francisco Giants 1-0 Friday night.

04/10/2015 10:38Inside Baseball: Why Braves traded Kimbrel and more from around MLB
The Braves traded the best closer in baseball just before Opening Day? Why? We take a look behind the scenes of the move and offer up more insight from around Major League Baseball, including a nice note about why Cody Ross was able to kick-start his career.

2014 summary:Craig Kimbrel continued to dominate in 2014, his fourth straight season with more than 40 saves and more than 90 strikeouts. His 1.61 ERA and 0.91 WHIP were actually his highest in three seasons, but they still ranked third and eighth among full-time closers. Not surprisingly, he himself ranked second among closers, behind only Greg Holland, in both Head-to-Head and Rotisserie leagues.

Playing time status: Kimbrel missed a couple of appearances early in the year with a sore shoulder, which was responsible for his only real rough patch of the season. He had a 1.33 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 13.1 strikeouts per nine innings over his final 55 Braves appearances -- numbers more in line with his previous two seasons. He hasn't had any other physical issues over the first four-plus years of his career, and as the universally recognized best closer in baseball, his job security is as good as it gets for the role.

2015 outlook: With the emergence of Holland, Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen and, to a lesser extent, David Robertson and Sean Doolittle, Kimbrel no longer stands out among closers like he once did, but he's still the most proven and reliable of that group and the one who'll be drafted first in Fantasy. Still, with the elite tier growing in size, any earlier than Round 6 for the No. 1 option is probably reach.
(Updated 12/19/14)